W. L. "Buddy" Caro passed away at age 84 on Friday, November 24, 2006 due to heart complications.

Buddy was born in Myrtle Grove, Florida and was a member of Myrtle Grove Baptist Church all of his life. One of Buddy's first jobs was delivering newspapers in Myrtle Grove using his horse "Fuzzy". Buddy graduated from Pensacola High School in 1941. Sometime thereafter, he entered service in World War II, joining the U. S. Navy serving on board the USS Saratoga (CV3) in the Pacific. After the war, Buddy married Mary Louise Brown in 1949 and went to work at Pensacola Naval Air Station as an Instrument Mechanic. Buddy retired from the base in 1980 but continued to work as he had done since 1955 at the Pensacola Greyhound Park for both the Park and the State of Florida. He retired from the state as the Chief Inspector at the Park after 20 years of service in 2003. During this same time, both Buddy and Mary worked during the winter season at the Key West Greyhound Park from 1983 to 1987.

Buddy had many cousins, friends and work associates who over the years were very dear to him and always in his thoughts. He was proud of his large family, working with his sister Hellen in keeping them together as much as possible. For many years, as his sons grew up, his yard served as the "Caro Bowl" to the neighborhood softball and footfall games.

Buddy was preceded in death by his parents, Bruno and Aslean Helton Caro; sisters Hellen Caro, Mina Martin (Petey) and Wilma Goss (Horace); brothers B. F. Caro (Elsie) and Calvin Caro (Eleanor); brother-in-law William Brown (Helen) and sister-in-law Martha Jones.

He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Mary Louise Caro; son Michael "Mike" Caro and wife Wanda McDonald Caro; son Mark Caro, his wife Betty Campbell Caro, step-daughters Michelle Damio, Donna Lewis, Stacey Olscheweske and her husband Roger. He was also survived by his favorite grandson Michael Bryan Caro, wife Shone Johnson Caro and their children, Kathryn, Courtney Hellen and Bryson. Additionally, brother-in-law Loam Brown and wife Naomi, brother-in-law Marion Jones, close friend Vernon Cole and many nieces, nephews and extended family.

Funeral services and interment will be at Pensacola Memorial Gardens on Wednesday, November the 29th at 2:00 p.m. with Reverend Ron Lentine of Myrtle Grove Baptist Church presiding.

The family will receive friends on Tuesday, November the 28th from 5 pm to 8 pm at Pensacola Memorial Gardens on Pine Forest Road.

Active pallbearers will be Buddy Caro, Glenn Caro, Kippy Caro, Jon Jones, Hal Driver and Steve Lockman.

Honorary pallbearers will be Shorty Forcier, Quentin Black, Dickie Durrant, Ripp Cobb and Counce Bush.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations could be made in Buddy's name to Myrtle Grove Baptist Church, Hospice or the charity of your choice. The family wishes to extend a special thanks to the nurses, doctors, respiratory techs and staff at West Florida Hospital CCU for the efforts and care given to Buddy during his stay at CCU.

PENSACOLA MEMORIAL GARDENS FUNERAL HOME is handling arrangements.